A curated community board for freelance illustrators and comic creators

Weekly Roundup – March 3, 2017

Hello! Welcome again to another Weekly Roundup. In the Weekly Roundup, I provide links and summarized information about the crowdfunded projects, creator opportunities, and resources that have caught my eye over the week. I hope you enjoy!

As a note: I am not sponsored by any company, group, or individual listed below or elsewhere on this site unless otherwise listed.

Helping Others

Are you a US resident wondering what to do about recent executive orders, gag orders, cabinet confirmations, and the future of your country? Sign up with 5calls.org to find out who to call about specific, pressing issues and what to say. Countable is also an informative resource (though I’ve personally been having issues with the app).

Take care and take your time. Your work is more important than ever. Thank you for sharing your originality and openness with the world. You bring light to the days of others, and it is so, so appreciated.

Recent Webcomic Debuts

Crowdfunded Projects

BLACK COMIX RETURNS – African American Comic Art and Culture is running a Kickstarter to fund the printing and production of BLACK COMIX RETURNS, a reprisal of 2010’s previously successful and now out-of-print BLACK COMIX. BLACK COMIX RETURNS intends to involve at least 50 black artists and writers and 144 pages of content, though stretch goals will push the book to 100 contributors with 200 total pages. Tier options include a digital copy of BLACK COMIX, digital and physical copies of BLACK COMIX RETURNS, postcards, prints, and a t-shirt. The Kickstarter ends March 5.

Magical Boy Basil #1 is running a Kickstarter to fund the printing of its first issue. Magical Boy Basil is an LGBT webcomic about undercover teenage magicians who fight monsters. The print edition of issue #1 will feature 24 full-color comic pages and 8 pages of bonus content. Tier options include PDF and print editions of the comic, a fold-out poster, prints, and original artwork. The Kickstarter ends on March 6.

Tokyo Demons: The Complete Series is running a Kickstarter to fund the physical production of its third and final volume. Tokyo Demons, a character-driven urban fantasy, tells the story of a group of teenagers and the adults who help them navigate through an international underground power struggle. Inspired by Japanese light novels, each chapter features an original illustration by Devil’s Candy artist Rem. Tier options include digital desktop wallpapers, postcards, a dakimakura, and digital, physical, or audio copies of the novels. The Kickstarter ends on March 7.

Spidersilk Comic Volume 2 is running a Kickstarter to fund the printing of the comic’s second volume. Spidersilk tells a story of loss, isolation, friendship, and found family through Prentice, and ex-soldier who attempts to find his home in a guild of thieves. Tier options include a digital wallpaper, digital and physical copies of the volume, character charms, mini prints, sticker packs, gift bags, a fur collar, and commissions. The Kickstarter ends on March 9.

Tabula Idem: A Queer Tarot Comic Anthology is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its 240+ page book of comics and tarot cards. The anthology features black and white comics featuring diverse characters and inclusive stories in a wide variety of genres. Tier options include a digital wallpaper pack, digital and physical copies of the book, a tarot deck, a bookmark, a bookplate, postcards, tea, and commissions. The Kickstarter ends on March 9.

Golden Medal – a Yuri on Ice!! Fanbook is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of a Yuri on Ice fanbook. The book will have 136 pages of full color illustrations and exclusive comics created by more than 55 Latinx artists. Tier options include digital and physical copies of the fanbook, stickers, prints, and acrylic charms. The Kickstarter ends on March 15.

Femme Magnifique is holding a Kickstarter to fund the printing, production, and fulfillment of its anthology. Femme Magnifique will include over 50 artists and writers whose comics will tell the stories of 30 women trailblazers of the past and present day. Tier options include digital and print versions of the book, postcards, pins, patches, stickers, prints, commissions, a cameo in the anthology, a meet and greet with curators and creators of the Kickstarter, and the opportunity to book Kristy Miller as a guest speaker. The Kickstarter ends March 16.

Namesake: Volume 3 is running a Kickstarter to pay for the print edition of Namesake third volume, which will include Intermission 2, Chapters 11-15, and various extras. Namesake tells the story of two sisters—one who can travel to other words, and one who can write them into reality—and their journeys through the universes of fairy tales, stories, and legends. Tier options include digital, softcover, and hardcover versions of the book, previous Namesake volumes, original comic pages, a bonus comic, signed and illustrated bookplates, 2 digital wallpapers, stickers, prints, and plushes. The Kickstarter ends on March 16.

Seven Strengths: A Coloring Book for Resiliency is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its coloring book. The book will include at least 28 line drawings to color, 16 activities, and survival strategies that are seen in the natural world. Tier options include digital and print copies of the book, prints, postcards, and issues 1 and 2 of Bioluminescent Lisp and Merethe’s Heart. The Kickstarter ends on March 17.

BlerDCon: Diverse Anime, Cosplay, Comics, Gaming & Geek Con is running a Kickstarter to help provide additional content, guests, panelists, and performers to their 24-hour convention. The convention itself is already funded thanks to a partnership with EMConsultants, LLC., but additional funding via the Kickstarter will help BlerDCon further its efforts to include veteran, disabled, LGBTQ+, and international fans, as well as advocacy and support groups. The Kickstarter ends on March 19.

Husband and Husband Volume 1 is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of their first 100-page volume. The comics cover the fictional and biographical daily lives of two husbands. Tier options include digital and physical copies of Husband and Husband, original art, and a cameo in the comic. The Kickstarter ends March 24.

Dates! An Anthology of Queer Historical Fiction (Volume 2) is running a Kickstarter to fund the production of its second book, along with the payment of the artists involved. The second volume of Dates! will include over 218 pages of black and white comics, 13 full color illustrations, and 2 short prose stories featuring queer historical fiction with happy endings. Tier options include the digital or physical copy of the book, a digital copy of the first volume, bonus comics and illustrations, a digital desktop, an enamel pin, historical fiction written on the topic of your choice, art commissions, and original comic pages. The Kickstarter ends on March 25.

The Queers and Comics Conference, in partnership with Prism Comics, is hosting a Travel Fund through Indiegogo’s Generosity platform. Donate funds to provide queer creators with travel funds to attend the conference on April 14 and 15. Donation tiers include benefits, such as digital and physical copies of books, postcards, t-shirts, and commissions from queer creators.

Creative Opportunities

General

Check the Lemma Soft Forums for paid work related to visual novel and game development, including project management, illustration, voice acting work, animation, music composition, writing, coding, and more.

SXSW Create has space available for companies with a focus on 3D printing, drones, biohacking, hardware, science, technology, bio-art, hacker/maker spaces, robots, STEAM, or artists. Underwritten space is available for educators, amateur innovators/makers, early stage startup companies, or other members of the maker and creative community.

Animation

DoubleStallion is accepting applications for 2D VFX animators and programmers.

Here is a survey for Women Professionals in Animation. If you work in animation and identify as a woman, please submit your anonymous information to this survey to inform and assist current and future animators.

You can find a directory of currently open animation jobs at animatedjobs.com! Companies like DHX Media, Disney, Nickelodeon, and others have a number of open full-time, part-time, freelance, and remote positions available, including those in social media, editing, and teaching.

Passion Fruit Anthology, a queer erotica anthology to be released by Beyond Press, is accepting submissions until March 7. Selected contributors will be paid $50/page for up to 18 pages of black and white comics. More information can be found here.

Built on Strange Ground is accepting pitches consisting of creepy, eerie, and strange nonfiction personal accounts. Selected contributors will be paid $50/page. Submit by March 15 for consideration.

The IUD Zine is accepting submissions until March 15. Any person of any gender with any kind of experience with IUDs of any variety are welcome to submit. The zine is not for profit and will be available for free online.

Cicada is seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and comics for their issue on Hauntings until March 27. They also have a call for submissions for an issue on aliens due by April 27 and an issue on puppets and dolls due by May 27.

The Bad Girls Bad Girls digital zine is accepting submissions until on a rolling basis through March 31. WIPs are due by March 10. All proceeds from digital sales will go to Planned Parenthood. WIPs must be completed and submitted by February 28, with final art due March 18.

The Silent Manga Audition announced its seventh run of its worldwide dialogue-free comic competition. The theme is “unforgettable taste.” Entries are due by March 31.

The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31.

Yaoi Con is hosting a Mascot Contest. Illustrate two new mascots for the chance to win a full weekend pass and an artist alley table. Your art will also be featured throughout the con. Contest ends March 31.

Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic that previously published Raina Telgemeier’s Smile, Jeff Smith’s Bone, and Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet, is accepting submissions for graphic novelists creating works for children and teens. Visit their site for more information. The deadline to apply is April 1.

Resist! Volume 2 is accepting submissions for their not-for-profit zine until May, though artists are encouraged to submit early and often. The first volume was distributed for free at inauguration protests, but the second volume will be available for a low cost at bookstores and comic stores nationwide, with plans to make copies available to schools and libraries. Women, minorities, and international artists are encouraged to submit.

For the Scribes is accepting submissions for their first issue of the Fresh Ink anthology until May 1. The theme is “Also Liberation.” Poetry, fiction, other prose, and comic submissions are welcome. No information provided on crediting, rights, or pay.

The Yaoi Army is accepting submissions for a BL anthology with the theme “Life and Death” until May 3. Illustrators will receive $250 and comic artists will be paid $20/page if the Kickstarter funds.

San Japan, a convention in San Antonio, Texas, is running two art contests with two winners for each. Two T-Shirt Contest winners will each receive an Artist Alley table and four convention badges. Two Mega Art Contest winners will each receive an Artist Alley table and four convention badges. Read here for more information. T-Shirt contest entries are due May 20, and Mega Art contest entries are due June 1.

A Legend of Zelda zine is accepting submissions of art until June 14. No information is provided about payment or distribution.

Rebel Mountain Press is accepting submissions of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and artwork from LGBTQ2 people living in Canada. Submissions are due by June 30.

Taking the Lane #15: True Trans Bike Rebel is accepting submissions of short fiction (500-2500 words), illustrations, and photography until July 1. Payment to be split among contributors after the zine is crowdfunded.

Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.

The Scholarship from Hell is accepting applications through March 15. This scholarship will provide domestic coach airfare to and from Long Beach, CA, a 4-night stay on the Queen Mary April 27-30, free registration to StokerCon 2017, and workshop attendance.

Mentorships

The Representation Matters Mentorship Program is accepting applications on a rolling basis from self-identified people of color interested in the publishing industry. Mentorships will last 6 months, with a minimum of one session every two months.

The Scholarship from Hell is accepting applications through March 15. This scholarship will provide domestic coach airfare to and from Long Beach, CA, a 4-night stay on the Queen Mary April 27-30, free registration to StokerCon 2017, and workshop attendance.

GLAADGrants has applications open to film producers until March 24. Awards of either $2500 or $5000, social media support, and mentorships will be provided to recipients of the grant.

Cicada is seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and comics for their issue on Hauntings until March 27. They also have a call for submissions for an issues on aliens due by April 27 and an issue on puppets and dolls due by May 27.

From March 1 to March 31, the DC Comic Writers Workshop will accept applications. Those accepted will receive access to a 13-week video workshop to help develop a portfolio with writing for DC Comics.

The Sesame Street Writers’ Room is accepting applications from writers of underrepresented racial groups for their Writers’ Room Fellowship until March 31.

The Trans Lifeline Benefit Anthology is accepting submissions of writing and illustration. Stories must be fanwork for a work in the public domain and have a hopeful or happy ending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Trans Lifeline. Submissions are due by March 31.

For the Scribes is accepting submissions for their first issue of the Fresh Ink anthology until May 1. The theme is “Also Liberation.” Poetry, fiction, other prose, and comic submissions are welcome. No information provided on crediting, rights, or pay.

Rebel Mountain Press is accepting submissions of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and artwork from LGBTQ2 people living in Canada. Submissions are due by June 30.

Indivisible We Stand is accepting submissions from women-identifying writers until July 1. Stories of resistance, protest, and the fight for women’s rights of 1000 to 5000 words are welcome.

Taking the Lane #15: True Trans Bike Rebel is accepting submissions of short fiction (500-2500 words), illustrations, and photography until July 1. Payment to be split among contributors after the zine is crowdfunded.

Argot Magazine is seeking written and illustrated submissions about queer and marginalized experiences. Click here for more on their mission as well as their pay rates.

Asymptote is accepting submissions of literary fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry from the seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) directly affected by Trump’s travel ban. Contributors will be paid $200 per feature. Submissions are also being accepted on a rolling basis for other contributors and submission styles.

Online monthly magazine The Dark is accepting submissions from 2000 to 6000 words in length. Encouraged genres include horror and dark fantasy, but graphic, violent horror is not desired. Payment is $0.03/word for up to 6000 words. Republishing payment is $0.01/word.

Random House’s digital-only imprint Hydra has open submissions for completed works in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror categories. There is no word count limit for submissions, but full-length works of 40,000 words or more are preferred. Accepted writers will be assigned to a Random House editor, marketer, and publicist. Response time is usually 2-4 weeks.

Pink Narcissus Press is seeking complete novel and novella manuscripts of 50,000 words or more. They are interested in well-written but non-mainstream speculative fiction with strong elements of sci-fi or fantasy.

pnk prl is accepting submissions of blackout/erasure poetry from LGBTQ+ writers until further notice. Please source the origin of the original source.

Sapphire Books is accepting submissions of lesbian fiction, particularly within the genres of romance, mystery/intrigue with romantic elements, and young adult.

Youth

Check out Comics Club, a new blog that highlights and connects comics clubs and shares advice and resources to help youth comic creators. Comics Club is currently hoping to hear from teachers and other educators, existing comics clubs, or members of the community with insight to offer or events to share.

Vancouver Island students in grade 8 through 12 are invited to submit to “In Your Own Voice 2017,” a teen anthology to be published by Rebel Mountain Press. Written works and visual art are welcome. Submit by March 31 to be considered. Selected contributors will receive a copy of the zine, and winners of the contest will receive cash prizes sponsored by Vancouver Island Regional Libraries.

Becca Hillburn is not only a provider of extensive, honest, and high-quality product reviews and tutorials, she’s a full-time comic artist and illustrator passionate about children’s lit and helping others. Check out her store, her book, or her Patreon and send her a “thank you” message if you can!

CharacterDesignReferences.com has amassed and organized a huge volume of work suited for, you guessed it, character design reference. This includes humans, animals, landscapes, and more. Check out the web version here or go straight to Pinterest to check out their boards.

Giveaways

Yatta-Tachi is hosting a giveaway for 3-month subscriptions to Crunchyroll. Submit your email for one entry, and additional information for additional entries. 3 people will be selected. Entry submission closes on March 14.

That’s it for this week! Look out for another post next week with these categories and possibly more. Is there something you’d like to see more of? Something you know about but don’t see here? Comments and suggestions as this year comes to a close and a new one begins? Let me know!

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